SAYNER - A needle and thread means more to Pat Andersen than just sewing.

"I started quilting when I was 19 so it's been a passion of mine for a long time," said Pat.

Quilting gives her a community of ladies in the Northwoods.

"Sayner needs something like this, it needs something for the women to do," said Pat.

After moving to Sayner with her husband Don last spring, the two decided to buy the building that now houses Plum Lake Quilts. Pat needed somewhere to put her long arm machine and that eventually turned into a little retail business.

"I mean little and then it grew a little bit and it grew a little bit more," said Don Andersen.

They tag team the business. Don helps with maintenance in the shop and some sales, while Pat is the expert on all things quilting.

"I know a little bit but the ladies always laugh when I'm trying to help them," said Don.

Now, Pat holds classes on Thursday nights for the ladies of the community.

"To me, it gives me a place to come every day I get to socialize with women," said Pat.

A wide variety of fabrics meets the variety of women who come into Pat's store. Those materials �" and Pat's charm �" had paid off.

"I've made a lot of women in the community very happy," said Pat.

And for these women, happiness comes in the form of good quilts, and good company.

RHINELANDER - Cancer survivors and supporters gathered at Ministry St. Mary's Hospital for the 10th annual Celebration of Life Thursday. The event honors those battling cancer or survivors of cancer and shows people what kinds of services the James Beck Cancer Center offers.

The center's namesake lost his life to cancer, but now others will be able to benefit from his gift to the hospital.

"With his vision and his dollars we were able to put this cancer center here in Rhinelander so patients don't have to travel to larger cities," said Director of Cancer Services Kimberly Hetland.

This year's speaker was Mike Regole, a survivor of tonsil cancer. He spoke about his experience at the center, how family and support affected his journey, and how he ran a business while having cancer.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - Just a few years ago, crumbling cement, steps, and seats filled Lac du Flambeau's Indian Bowl. Now, a major reconstruction project is halfway done. It will hopefully give people from all over a chance to learn about Native American culture and traditions once again.

"We increase that sense of pride in our community," said Director of Planning and Development Emerson Coy.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU - On a busy stretch of Highway 47 near Lac du Flambeau -- where hundreds of wheels spin at 55 miles-per-hour each day -- just one tire drags at a slower pace, pulled by one man: the Tire Man.

"I guess I'm the only one nutty enough to do it, I suppose," Frank Tarantino said with a laugh.

Tarantino lives in Mercer, but trains for marathons in Lac du Flambeau. He started pulling a tire on a chain a few years ago after reading about it in a fitness magazine. People often stop to take his picture.

"Little by little you run a little further, a little further," Tarantino said.

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